Method and apparatus for connecting an electrical component to a housing

Abstract

Terminals are formed on an electrically-conductive plate supporting a reed switch, and the terminals are extended through a resin holder. The holder is inserted into a connector housing and is fixedly secured within the housing by fusion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector comprising a housing having at one end an insertion port for receiving a mating connector; an electrically conductive plate supporting an electrical component received in said housing, said plate having integrally formed terminals electrically connected to the electrical component; and a holder through which front end portions of said terminals extend toward said insertion port in a press-fitted manner, said holder being fused to said housing in such a manner that said holder is entirely fitted in said housing. 
     
     
       2. A method for mounting an electrical component within a housing comprising the steps of: providing an insertion port on said housing for receiving a mating connector;   press-fitting terminals of an electrically conductive plate of the electrical component within a holder;   connecting electrodes of the electrical component with respective ones of said terminals to form an assembly;   electrically separating said terminals from each other;   inserting the assembly into the housing until the holder is inserted entirely within said housing and said holder engages stopper ridges located in the housing, said terminals extending through said holder into said insertion port, said terminals being cooperable with said mating connector;   fusing the holder to the housing.   
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of engaging projections of a rubber bushing within retaining grooves formed in the housing. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of mounting the housing on a tubular portion of a reservoir body. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 2, wherein the electrically separating step includes severing at least one portion of the plate. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 2, wherein the fusing step includes fusing the holder to the housing using ultrasonic vibrations. 
     
     
       7. A connector for receiving a mating connector, comprising a housing that receives an electrically conductive plate that includes separable terminals supporting an electrical component, a holder through which the terminals extend and are press-fitted, and means that seal and fix the holder with the housing after the terminals are separated from one another. 
     
     
       8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the plate includes two severing points that are severed before the holder is sealed and fixed to the housing. 
     
     
       9. The connector of claim 7, wherein the housing includes an electrical component receiving portion and a hood. 
     
     
       10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the hood includes a retaining groove for receiving projections of a rubber bushing, a retaining hole for receiving an engagement pawl of the mating connector, and a retaining pawl adapted for engagement with a mounting tubular portion that is attached to a reservoir body. 
     
     
       11. The connector of claim 9, wherein the electrical component receiving portion includes at least one stopper ridge that defines an axial extent into the electrical component receiving portion through which the holder may protrude. 
     
     
       12. The connector of claim 7, wherein the means that seal and fix includes means for fusing the holder to the housing using ultrasonic vibration welding. 
     
     
       13. The connector of claim 7, wherein the housing includes a receiving portion and a hood, and said holder and said electrical component are disposed within the receiving portion.